Areas of Application

Areas of application for the Isotropic super Finishing Process

AEROSPACE & MINING

HPSF’s isotropic super-finishing process is not only utilised on industries such as motorsport and gearing but also many engineering areas like Aerospace and mining. These particular components operate in severe conditions where stakes are high and as a result, part failure is not an option. Manufacturing these components is both complex and costly, and as such, there is a demand for decreasing friction, wear, reducing noise, vibration, increasing power density, and extending mean time between maintenance.

AUTOMOTIVE & MOTORSPORT

In industries, such as automotive, motorcycle racing, and motorsport, every component must work to its fullest potential. Competitive racing teams are looking for maximum performance gains often through incremental improvements as races are won and lost by fractions of a second. Motorsports stress metal components to the very limit of their endurance. Wear friction is the enemy, taking vital fractions of a second off lap times and sometimes leading to total part failure. With the super-finishing process, the energy normally lost to friction is now available in the form of increased power output. Once friction is reduced, the engine will run cooler allowing for longer durability of parts and fewer failures. HPSF’s state of the art facility allows super-finishing on a range of different gearbox, engine and other load bearing components.

GEARING

Gear components often have complex geometries as well as high speed and efficiency requirements. These parts can experience high operating temperatures and severe loads which necessitate more durable parts. Proper break-in procedures are often not followed and repairing a damaged gearbox or bearing can significantly increase operational costs and be extremely time consuming. HPSF’s Isotropic super-finish process solves these problems by reducing friction, wear, and vibration resulting in extended component life and increased fuel efficiency. The super-finishing Process creates a smooth, micro-textured surface for enhanced oil retention properties and is metallurgical safe.

OFF-ROAD

The super-finishing process is a low cost, non-invasive process that removes asperities in final drive and transmission gears. Off highway equipment operates under extreme conditions and therefore subject to critical loads. Heavy equipment demands high torque requirements, and the conditions typical of its operation, grind on interacting metal components. Additionally, maintenance is often not performed as scheduled and break-in procedures are rarely followed, leading to premature wear that may result in catastrophic failures. These failures along with the high fuel and lubricant consumption combine to increase operating costs. The super-finishing process improves reliability of parts as well as reducing fuel, operating temperatures and maintenance costs.

WIND TURBINE

The gears and componentry of wind turbines often work in adverse environmental conditions, being subject to the constant and sudden changes in temperature, wind speed or quality of the surrounding air. With these conditions, gears and other industrial components are subject to corrosion, and fail after a few years, although they usually have a projected operation life (under constant maintenance) of about 20 years. The gears must therefore be refurbished and they are often subjected to the grinding process. The latter is not always simple: in fact, it takes time and investment and it is not suitable for all gears. The isotropic super-finishing process would refurbish the gears, at low costs and with several advantages supplied: removing light or moderate damage from the lateral surface of the gears, getting a surface roughness of about 0 , 08 mm. Isotropic super-finishing increases the duration of activity and service of the products of the industry.